Pope gunman to consider book, film offers

(AP) — The gunman who shot and wounded Pope John Paul II says he will begin considering book, film and television documentary offers after his release from a Turkish prison later this month.

Mehmet Ali Agca said in a statement to The Associated Press that he would like to travel to the Vatican and meet Pope Benedict XVI, though he has not yet set a date for the visit.

His written response to questions was relayed to the AP by his lawyer Saturday.

Agca shot John Paul in St. Peter's Square on May 13, 1981. The pope met with Agca in an Italian prison in 1983 and forgave him.

Agca served 19 years in an Italian prison for the attack and is nearing the end of a 10-year sentence for killing a Turkish journalist in 1979. He will be released Jan. 18.